Changes

==Session 1==

==Session 1==

===Note===

===Note===

09/04/92 Upon visit by Chick Montgomery to the Tallahassee group.

09/04/92 Upon visit by [http://www.blogtalkradio.com/symmetryofsoul/2011/08/10/a-lifes-journey-with-the-urantia-book-charles-montgomery Chick Montgomery] to the [[Tallahassee TeaM|Tallahassee group]].

My words today are meant for all who carry the message of this ministry to the hopeful souls who desire to know God. Experience has shown us that there is an inherent problem in the structure of the teacher groups as we originally intended. The problem essentially is one of modesty, with attendant practical consequences. We have observed that the transmitters of our teachings are reluctant to organize groups around themselves, no matter how inspiring or change-provoking these teachings should prove to be. It is correctly observed by the transmitters, or channelers, that their fellows naturally assume that there is an inside track freely available to all who are capable of such activity.

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

We are gratified to see that the transmitters perceive this phenomenon and seek to avoid cultivating the devotion of their companions through the use of undue influence. Simultaneous with this gratification, however, we also note with dismay that it is common for the transmitters to attempt to distance themselves from the celestial teachers, primarily through non-cooperation in our fundamental recommendations for continued individual spiritual progress -- daily silent prayerful communication with the Heavenly Father, and candid forthright interaction with the earth brothers and sisters of the material world experience. They forgo their own spiritual developments in a sincere attempt to avoid misleading their fellows. This situation mixes elements of both tragic and noble conduct, and evinces concern and respect for the sovereignty of others. You can only guess at our reaction to these developments.

My [[words]] today are meant for all who carry the [[message]] of this ministry to the [[hopeful]] [[souls]] who [[desire]] to know [[God]]. [[Experience]] has shown us that there is an [[inherent]] [[problem]] in the [[structure]] of the [[TeaM|teacher groups]] as we originally intended. The [[problem]] essentially is one of [[modesty]], with attendant [[practical]] [[consequences]]. We have observed that the [[transmitters]] of our teachings are reluctant to [[organize]] groups around themselves, no matter how [[inspiring]] or [[change]]-provoking these teachings should prove to be. It is correctly [[observed]] by the [[transmitters]], or channelers, that their fellows naturally [[assume]] that there is an inside track freely available to all who are capable of such [[activity]].

This situation is noble for it indicates that -- even in the North American obsessive individuality cult -- there is a marked preference for brotherhood as equals. It is tragic because the perception that transmitters possess some special spiritual quality is itself invalid. There is no difference whatever between the teacher group member who provides us with transmission service and any other group member, other than the normal variation found in any comparable random assembly of humans. Ability to channel or transmit this teaching indicates nothing other than that fact itself. We have frequently said, apparently without effect, that the reason that certain persons can deliver this message is brutally simple -- because they can. There is no deeper meaning. The transmitters possess no special spiritual power that qualifies them for service. They are qualified by only two elements: they are capable of the activity, and they are willing to serve. In all other respects, they are just as thick-headed, truculent, selfish, sullen, resentful, and controlled by their animal natures as their companions, but we see potential in them, just as we see potential in all seekers.

We are [[gratified]] to see that the [[transmitters]] [[perceive]] this [[phenomenon]] and seek to avoid cultivating the [[devotion]] of their [[companions]] through the use of undue [[influence]]. [[Simultaneous]] with this gratification, however, we also note with [[dismay]] that it is common for the [[transmitters]] to attempt to distance themselves from the celestial [[teachers]], primarily through non-cooperation in our [[fundamental]] recommendations for continued [[individual]] [[spiritual progress]] -- daily [[silent]] prayerful [[communication]] with the [[Heavenly Father]], and candid forthright [[interaction]] with the earth [[brothers and sisters]] of the [[material]] world experience. They forgo their own [[spiritual development]]s in a [[sincere]] attempt to avoid misleading their fellows. This situation mixes elements of both [[tragic]] and [[noble]] conduct, and evinces concern and [[respect]] for the sovereignty of others. You can only guess at our [[reaction]] to these [[developments]].

Our response to this situation is straightforward. We have recently attempted to provide for a minimum of two persons in each teacher group, capable of delivering our teachings. Experiments involving substantially more than two transmitters have proved unwieldy in that regard, producing as many problems to be overcome as solutions.

This situation is [[noble]] for it indicates that -- even in the North American [[obsessive]] [http://www.anus.com/zine/articles/prozak/individualism/ individuality cult] -- there is a marked preference for [[brotherhood]] as [[equals]]. It is [[tragic]] because the [[perception]] that [[transmitters]] possess some special [[spiritual]] [[quality]] is itself invalid. There is no [[difference]] whatever between the [[teacher]] group member who provides us with transmission [[service]] and any other group member, other than the [[normal]] variation found in any comparable [[random]] assembly of humans. [[Ability]] to channel or [[transmit]] this teaching indicates nothing other than that [[fact]] itself. We have frequently said, apparently without [[effect]], that the reason that certain persons can deliver this message is brutally [[simple]] -- because they can. There is no deeper [[meaning]]. The [[transmitters]] possess no special [[spiritual]] [[power]] that qualifies them for [[service]]. They are qualified by only two elements: they are capable of the [[activity]], and they are willing to serve. In all other respects, they are just as thick-headed, truculent, [[selfish]], sullen, resentful, and controlled by their [[animal]] natures as their [[companions]], but we see [[potential]] in them, just as we see potential in all [[seekers]].

For those transmitters who presently work without human partnership, Hang on. We know how difficult it is to labor alone, even in the most uplifting cause. I speak from personal experience. I am Machiventa Melchizedek, and I spent some years among the Semitic tribes, teaching and ministering among the people. The fact of alone-ness is a great trial, witness the desire for human companionship even across social, racial, language, and economic barriers. I think you are all up to it. Keep up the good work, and do not neglect your own house. You are not personally responsible for all that goes on. The world was purposely made large, to disabuse you of this very notion. For you to persist is to indulge a human fancy that contributes not to the path. We thank you for your service, which is seen in heaven.

 

For those [[transmitters]] who presently work without human [[partnership]], Hang on. We know how [[difficult]] it is to labor [[alone]], even in the most uplifting [[cause]]. I speak from [[personal]] [[experience]]. I am [[Machiventa]] [[Melchizedek]], and I spent some years among the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semitic_people Semitic tribes], teaching and ministering among the people. The [[fact]] of [[alone]]-ness is a great [[trial]]; [[witness]] the [[desire]] for human [[companionship]] even across [[social]], [[racial]], [[language]], and [[economic]] [[barriers]]. I think you are all up to it. Keep up the [[good]] [[work]], and do not neglect your own house. You are not personally [[responsible]] for all that goes on. The world was [[purposely]] made large, to [[disabuse]] you of this very notion. For you to [[persist]] is to indulge a human fancy that [[contributes]] not to the [[path]]. We thank you for your [[service]], which is seen in [[heaven]].

 

[[Shalom]].

==Session 2==

==Session 2==

SEPTEMBER 5, 1992

SEPTEMBER 5, 1992